Viewpoint
Doddabetta Peak
The highest point in the Nilgiris (2,637 m) with a telescope house at the summit.
Highlights
- The highest peak in the Nilgiris and the whole of South India at 2,637 m
- A government telescope house framing the Coonoor and Mettupalayam valleys on clear days
- Shola pockets near the summit that hold Nilgiri endemic birds at dawn
- A short reserve-forest nature trail just below the car park
Doddabetta — 'big mountain' in Badaga — caps the Nilgiri plateau and, on a clear morning, gives a 360-degree sweep over Ooty, Coonoor and far down to the plains.
The summit is reached by a sealed road about 10 km from Ooty; a telescope house run by the tourism department helps pick out distant ridgelines and towns.
It is one of the busiest viewpoints in the hills, so arrive at opening for both the view and the parking — by mid-morning cloud and crowds both build.
On the map
Good to know
- Getting there
- A sealed road about 10 km east of Ooty off the Kotagiri road; buses and taxis run up regularly.
- Access
- Drive to the summit car park, then a short walk to the telescope house
- Best time
- Clear mornings, December to May, soon after sunrise
Plan your visit
Combine your trip